Nyons

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Commune of Nyons

View of Nyons
Location
Longitude 5° 08' 23" E
Latitude 44° 21' 37" N
Administration
Country France
Région Rhône-Alpes
Département Drôme
Arrondissement Nyons
Canton Nyons (chief town)
Intercommunality Communauté
de communes
du Val d'Eygues
Mayor Pierre Combes
(2001-2008)
Statistics
Altitude 234 m–940 m
(avg. 270 m)
Land area¹ 23.45 km²
Population²
(1999)
6,731
 - Density (1999) 287/km²
Miscellaneous
INSEE/Postal code 26220/ 26110
¹ French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq. mi. or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
² Population sans doubles comptes: single count of residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel).
France
Roman bridge
Enlarge
Roman bridge

Nyons is a commune in south-eastern France in the Drôme département.

Contents

[edit] History

Nyons was settled in the 6th century BC as Nyrax by a Gallic tribe, probably the Segusiavi or the Sequani. Hecataeus mentioned Nyrax around 500 BC when writing about the Celts. It is situated next to the river Aigues or Eygues, which is crossed by an ancient bridge. Nyons profites from a very mild microclimate, which makes it a good place for people suffering from respiratory problems, for which a special clinic is founded.

[edit] Demographics

Nyons is of regional importance for the southern Drôme, being sous-préfecture. It features two collèges and a lycée; as well as important shopping facilities and touristic attractions. Villages that are facilitated by Nyons are situated within an area of about 20 to 30 km, such as Les Pilles, Aubres, Venterol and Mirabel-aux-Baronnies.

[edit] Twin towns

Nyons is twinned with:

[edit] See also